When it comes to replacing your roof, you’ll encounter two main shingle options as far as type; architectural (laminate) and 3-tab. Before you can decide which shingle is best for you, you first have to understand the main differences between these two. We’ll break them down by three main categories; aesthetic, quality and price.

Architectural shingles:

Aesthetic: The actual shingle tabs have various sizes and shapes. These various sizes and shapes give them a more “dimensional” look to them and can actually make a shingle roof look more like shake.

Quality: Because architectural shingles are thicker than 3-tab shingles they have a longer warranty than most 3-tab shingles. Architectural shingles almost across the board have a minimum 30 year guarantee and are rated to resist higher speeds of wind.

Price: Architectural shingles cost about $16.00-$25.00 per sq. more than a 25yr 3-Tab shingle.  On a typical 30sq house, this cost can add between $480.00-$750.00 to the cost of materials.

3-Tab shingles:

Aesthetic: 3-tab shingles come in a similar variety of colors as their architectural counterparts, but look like flat layer with no dimensional “thickness” to it when installed.

Quality: They’re are more simple, made up of less material and weigh less than architectural shingles. They have a lower wind rating as well as a shorter life span than an architectural shingle.

Price: 3-tab shingles are the most entry level shingle available and their price reflects that. They are significantly less expensive than architectural shingles.

Final Verdict

For most homeowners, the long-term value of the architectural shingle outweighs the upfront cost. Architectural shingles help maintain or raise the value of the home. They look nicer and are more durable. However, 3-tab shingles might be an option for some homeowners on a budget or rental properties due to their low-cost. If you have questions about which shingle option is the best fit for your home, call us at 410-569-1732 or contact us directly.